Determination of optimal software release time considering an operation and maintenance period of software system

Abstract

This thesis investigates four problems of determining the optimal software release time, which is defined as the optimal time when to stop the software testing and release a completed software system to the user, by using a software reliability growth model (SRGM) based on a Nonhomogeneous Poison process (NHPP). Then, the user``s software operation and maintenance period is regarded as one factor in determining the optimal software release time. First, the problem of determining the optimal software release time based on cost criterion is considered. Second, the optimal software release problem which evaluates both software cost and software reliability criteria simultaneously is considered. Third, we discuss the optimal release problem for a software system released under penalty-incentive contract which incentive fee or penalty cost, based on the shortening or the delay for a scheduled delivery time, is considered. Fourth, we consider the problem of determining the optimal release time for a software system released under warranty contract. In the development of software system, decision rules on the optimal software release time proposed in this thesis can be used to achieve an efficient software lifecycle management and a reliable software system simultaneously.